The Power and Promise of Christ's Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection as the Cornerstone of Faith

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing the foundation for our hope and justification. It is not merely a historical event but a divine assurance of life beyond death and a testament to God's power. The resurrection affirms the divinity of Christ and offers believers the promise of eternal life. This profound truth transcends myth or legend, standing as a divine assurance of justice and a testament to the power of God. In a world filled with uncertainty, the resurrection provides a solid foundation for our faith, reminding us that our hope is not in vain. [24:55]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus Christ provide you with hope and assurance in your daily life? How can you live today with the confidence that your faith is built on this cornerstone?

Day 2: Standing Firm in the Truth of the Gospel

In the face of skepticism and secular dismissal of the resurrection as a myth, believers are called to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel. The resurrection is confirmed by the appearances of the risen Christ and the testimony of Scripture, forming the bedrock of our faith. Despite the challenges posed by a secular worldview, the empirical evidence of the resurrection, witnessed by over five hundred individuals, provides a strong foundation for our belief. This truth calls us to remain steadfast, holding onto the Gospel's promises and proclaiming the reality of the risen Christ. [39:49]

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 (ESV): "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep."

Reflection: How can you stand firm in the truth of the Gospel in your interactions with others today? What practical steps can you take to share the reality of the resurrection with those who may be skeptical?

Day 3: The Logical Necessity of the Resurrection

The Apostle Paul's logical argument in 1 Corinthians demonstrates the absurdity of denying the resurrection. Without it, our faith is futile, and life is devoid of meaning. Yet, because Christ is risen, we have hope, purpose, and assurance of eternal life. Paul emphasizes that if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching and faith are in vain, and we remain in our sins. The resurrection is essential for the Christian faith, providing believers with a sense of purpose and the assurance of life beyond death. [21:07]

1 Corinthians 15:16-19 (ESV): "For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt your faith was challenged. How does the resurrection of Christ provide you with a renewed sense of purpose and assurance today?

Day 4: The Resurrection as God's Proof of Jesus' Identity

The resurrection serves as God's definitive proof of Jesus' identity and mission, calling us to repentance and faith. It is the sign by which the world is judged, demanding a response of faith and obedience. Through the resurrection, God has given assurance to all, affirming Jesus as the appointed judge of the world in righteousness. This divine act calls believers to respond with faith and obedience, recognizing the authority and mission of Christ. [52:16]

Acts 17:30-31 (ESV): "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to respond to the call of repentance and faith? How can you demonstrate obedience to Christ's authority today?

Day 5: Living in the Light of the Resurrection

In light of the resurrection, believers are encouraged to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Our labor is not in vain, and our hope is secure, as the resurrection assures us of the ultimate victory over sin and death. This assurance empowers us to live with purpose and dedication, knowing that our efforts in the Lord's work are meaningful and impactful. The resurrection provides the motivation to persevere, proclaiming the glory of the risen Christ in all that we do. [54:03]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Reflection: How can you remain steadfast and immovable in your faith today? What specific actions can you take to abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain?

Sermon Summary

The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the cornerstone of Christian faith, a pivotal event that not only affirms the divinity of Christ but also provides the foundation for our hope and justification. In reflecting on this profound truth, we are reminded of the power and significance of the resurrection, which transcends mere myth or legend. The resurrection is not just a historical event but a divine assurance of life beyond death, a promise of justice, and a testament to the power of God.

In the face of skepticism and the secular dismissal of the resurrection as a myth, we are called to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel. The resurrection is not a mere inference drawn from an empty tomb but a reality confirmed by the appearances of the risen Christ to His disciples and over five hundred witnesses. This empirical evidence, coupled with the testimony of Scripture, forms the bedrock of our faith.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, uses a logical argument to demonstrate the absurdity of denying the resurrection. If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is futile, and we remain in our sins. Without the resurrection, life is devoid of meaning, and our ethical and moral frameworks collapse. Yet, because Christ is risen, we have hope, purpose, and the assurance of eternal life.

The resurrection also serves as God's definitive proof of Jesus' identity and mission. It is the sign by which the world is judged, a call to repentance, and a command to believe in the One whom God has appointed to judge the world in righteousness. This divine act demands a response of faith and obedience, for it is through the resurrection that God has given assurance to all.

In light of this, we are encouraged to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain. The resurrection assures us that our faith is not misplaced, and our hope is secure. As we live in the light of this truth, we are called to proclaim the glory of the risen Christ, whose resurrection is the ultimate victory over sin and death.

Key Takeaways

1. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing the foundation for our hope and justification. It is not merely a historical event but a divine assurance of life beyond death and a testament to God's power. [24:55]
2. Skepticism and secular dismissal of the resurrection as a myth challenge us to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel. The resurrection is confirmed by the appearances of the risen Christ and the testimony of Scripture, forming the bedrock of our faith. [39:49]
3. The Apostle Paul's logical argument in 1 Corinthians demonstrates the absurdity of denying the resurrection. Without it, our faith is futile, and life is devoid of meaning. Yet, because Christ is risen, we have hope, purpose, and assurance of eternal life. [21:07]
4. The resurrection serves as God's definitive proof of Jesus' identity and mission, calling us to repentance and faith. It is the sign by which the world is judged, demanding a response of faith and obedience. [52:16]
5. In light of the resurrection, we are encouraged to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Our labor is not in vain, and our hope is secure, as the resurrection assures us of the ultimate victory over sin and death. [54:03]
** [54:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:34] - Prayer and Introduction
[01:19] - The Myth of Resurrection
[02:57] - Historical Context and Kant's Influence
[06:04] - Kant's Critique of Pure Reason
[09:17] - Kant's Practical Ethics
[13:55] - The Collapse of Kant's Dyke
[15:19] - Paul's Argument on Resurrection
[20:03] - The Consequences of No Resurrection
[24:55] - The Uniqueness of Christianity
[30:14] - Nihilism and the Absence of God
[34:21] - Paul's Defense of the Resurrection
[39:49] - Eyewitness Testimonies
[45:52] - The Assurance of Resurrection
[52:16] - The Command to Repent
[54:03] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Sermon Clips

"That will be glory when we see him in the power of the resurrection. Let's pray. Our Father and our God, as we consider now the mighty work that you performed by the power of the Spirit to raise Him from the tomb. That certain sign that you have given by which the whole world is judged." [00:00:03]

"One of the oldest questions if not the oldest question of theology was the one asked by Job 'if a man dies shall he live again?' And before we get to the New Testament answer to that question as set forth by the greatest apologist of the Christian church, the apostle Paul, I want to spend a little bit of time in background to refer your attention to two watershed events that radically changed the world in the decade of the 70's." [00:02:38]

"Kant was very much concerned about morality and ethics. By the way when he considered his skeptical stance on the knowing of God, the one argument that he felt was most impressive was the argument to design. It was that which he could not explain. But he was concerned with the study of man, that it would seem that in the heart of every human being there was this universally present sense of duty, or sense of 'oughtness.'" [00:08:02]

"Paul has drawn for us a ghastly picture of the consequences of no resurrection, no life after death. He is saying that if there is no resurrection then life itself under the sun is meaningless. As Kant understood, your ethic, your sense of duty, your conscience is meaningless and without ethics of our society, civilization can not last." [00:27:06]

"Paul said 'What you worship in ignorance I proclaim to you in power. For the God who made the world and everything in it being Lord of heaven and earth does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands as if He needed anything since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.'" [00:45:57]

"Paul ends this section by saying 'Therefore' Here is the conclusion. 'Be steadfast. Be steadfast. Immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord for now you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.' Your preaching is not in vain. Your faith is not in vain. Your labor is not in vain because God has raised Him from the dead." [00:53:59]

"Paul does not argue for the resurrection on the basis of the hopelessness of life without it. Yes, in the section I just read he agrees with Kant that without it life is hopeless, but that is not the foundation for his assertion that Christ is risen. He goes on to talk about the analogy that exists in nature with animals and plants and grass and human beings." [00:32:16]

"It is not the empty tomb that created the faith of the early church. It was the appearance of the risen Christ. He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. Well, these two could have cooked this up among themselves. But Paul says 'wait a minute. He appeared to more than five hundred at one time, most of whom are still alive. Go and ask them.'" [00:39:21]

"Paul goes on to say in Athens. 'We ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, the former days.' Let me just stop here and insert something. A few minutes ago I said that the assumption of the newspaper writer is that the story of the resurrection must be a myth because resurrection is impossible." [00:48:30]

"Paul's first line of apologetics is an appeal to sacred scripture. He is saying I believe in the first instance, in the resurrection of Christ because the word of God proclaims it. That is why I said it is so vital that we address this question of the veracity and authenticity and trustworthiness of the scriptures, because if you have that, the rest is easy." [00:36:00]

"Paul debated with the philosophers in Athens at the Areopagus, and I mentioned that when he debated with the stoics and the epicureans he called attention to their monument to an unknown god. The philosophers were hedging their bets just in case they missed one. Paul said 'What you worship in ignorance I proclaim to you in power.'" [00:45:32]

"God is going to judge you by that historical act of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe in the resurrection, not because the alternative is grim. We believe the resurrection because of the Biblical testimony of it's reality in time and space." [00:53:38]

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